Two weeks ago, Craig Sroda and Matt Brown (Pinnacle Partner & Director of Sales) went to the Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington, D.C. to learn about the latest and greatest in Microsoft’s trends and technologies.

At this conference, that focused on Microsoft’s vision and strategies, there were 130 countries and over 10,000 partner representatives attending.  Here are a few takeaways we would like to share:

Microsoft is “All In” with cloud computing

• Microsoft is shifting a huge focus toward Cloud Computing, cutting edge technologies and innovative products.
• Microsoft is fully committed to offering all of their software in the cloud.
• On premise, email is typically the first move to the cloud, BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) offers ease to that transition at an extremely affordable price
• Per Gartner, 20% of customers will have no IT assets by 2013.

Microsoft is still growing!

• Bing’s Decision Engine has gained 21 million users since its release. (Gaining 1% market share per month)
• Office 2010 Beta has experienced over 9 million downloads to date.
• An estimated 370 million PC’s will ship over the next twelve months.
• Great new products like Windows Phone 7 and Kinect (http://www.xbox.com/en-us/kinect ) will be the hottest items this holiday season!

We were excited to be one of 359 companies globally to be awarded the Microsoft Business Award, President’s Club.  This puts us in the top 5% of Microsoft Dynamics Partners worldwide.  Thanks again to our dedicated customers and employees for making this possible!

Pinnacle was just awarded the elite Microsoft Business Award, President’s Club.  We know that without our customers, this would not have been possible, so we would like to thank you for your support.

What does this mean?

• Pinnacle is in the top 5% of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide.
• Pinnacle is recognized based on commitment to offering solutions that meet customers’ needs.
• Pinnacle has a comprehensive understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics platform.

What makes Pinnacle different?
We meet our customers at their point of need.  Our team of specialists can take virtually any aspect of your organization and connect it to one central hub.  We do everything from Microsoft Dynamics installations and customizations of CRM, GP and SharePoint to full IT service solutions to website design and social media.

We’re looking forward to another year of serving our customers and helping to assist you with making your business better by making your technology work.

Thanks again for your support!

Full Microsoft Press Release:

7/16/2010 - Pinnacle awarded elite Microsoft Business Award – Presidents Club

Mishawaka, IN July 16, 2010 - Pinnacle, one of the area’s leading Microsoft Dynamics technology providers, has been named to the 2010 Microsoft President’s Club for the fourth time, receiving recognition from Microsoft for its dedicated commitment to customers. 

This recognition came during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington DC.  The President’s club represents the top 5 percent of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide. Membership is granted based on continual, committed efforts aimed at offering solutions that meet the needs of their customers.

 “Microsoft is proud to congratulate Pinnacle on being named to this year’s Microsoft Dynamics President’s Club.  Pinnacle not only has demonstrated a high level of product expertise, but also has provided a superior level of service and commitment to our Microsoft Dynamics customers, ultimately contributing to the overall success of Microsoft Dynamics and companies worldwide.”

Pinnacle works closely with the teams at Microsoft to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics platform.  This knowledge, combined with a deep understanding of customers’ business needs, enables Pinnacle to help customers leverage the full value of their Microsoft investments and achieve the enhanced customer service, productivity and operational efficiency that promote growth and competitive advantage.

“We’re thankful for the opportunities where our clients have allowed us to align technology to their core business goals.  This award is really a reflection of them.”    Craig Sroda, Partner

Formed in 1996, Pinnacle provides strategic business solutions using Microsoft Dynamics technology.  Pinnacle serves as the regional expert in migration and implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP, CRM, and SharePoint.  Pinnacle offers custom software design and applications using .NET and Visual Basic; providing industry specific solutions that integrate with existing software packages.  Pinnacle also offers IT services and network design.

Imagine a broadband Internet network that is 100 times faster than anything you've ever used at home.  Download videos instantly. No more waiting.  In Michiana, this is a real possibility, but we can't do it without community-wide participation.

We received an email from the Associate Vice President for Public Affairs at Notre Dame University with information on this opportunity, and a call for the community to participate. 

The email is below, and here's the breakdown:

• Google is looking for a community between 50,000 and 500,000 homes to test a one-gigabit, fiber optic broadband network
• Local leaders believe that due to factors already in place, South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County can be moved to the top of that list
• Part of Google's RFI (Request For Information) includes wanting to know a community's Internet needs and interests
• Project Future developed a survey to gauge the current service and interests of the community
• Results of the survey will be included in the RFI sent to Google
• The deadline for filling out this survey is tomorrow, Friday, March 19
• You can access the survey here:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ProjectFutureGoogle. 

This would be an amazing opportunity, not only in technology, but to help boost our economy.  So please spread the word and take the opportunity to fill out the survey if you can.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Google recently issued a call for cities and towns across the country to be considered for a planned test of one-gigabit, fiber optic broadband service to communities between 50,000 and 500,000 homes. South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County are answering the call, coordinating a regional response through Project Future, the local economic development organization.

Google is looking for local governments willing to facilitate installation of a broadband network that will provide speeds averaging 100 times faster than those commonly available to residential customers. This will be a highly competitive process with hundreds of communities trying to win Google’s attention. Local officials and community leaders believe factors already in place can move South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County to the top of the list.

A portion of the Google RFI (Request For Information) focuses upon a community’s Internet needs and interests.  Project Future has developed a survey to gauge the current service and interests. The results will then be included in the response to Google.

We encourage you to help in this community effort by participating in this brief survey anytime between now and Friday, March 19.   It should take you less than 10 minutes to complete it.  To find the survey, just click on this link:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ProjectFutureGoogle.     

Thank you for participating in this exciting opportunity for our community! 

Tim

Timothy D. Sexton
Associate Vice President for Public Affairs
University of Notre Dame
405 Main Building
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Can I really use Facebook or Twitter for my business?  How do I even get started in the process to learn some basics?  Can social media be an effective tool in achieving successful communications with my target audience?

Join a group of other business leaders for six months to dive in and learn real tools to launch your social media strategy.  (Limited to 12 organizations)

What Can You expect?

• Learn practical ways to leverage Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other tools to create your social media strategy.
• Review examples of how some companies are using social media well (or, in some cases, not well at all).
• You will learn from each other, as a variety of different local businesses will discuss what’s working for them, what they’re learning, questions they’re asking, and more!
• This experience will be dynamic.  You control the agenda based on feedback from month to month and the specific needs in the group.  We will be customizing the content according to your desires.
• Great food!  Thanks to LaSalle Grill offering to host for these 6 meetings, we will enjoy some really fine dining along the way!

First Social Media Coaching Network Meeting:

Date:  February 18, 2009

Time:  11am – 1pm

Place:  LaSalle Grill– Colfax Suite

Price: (6) Luncheons Only:  $395   (Alternatively, for those organizations already participating in our ongoing, personalized Social Media Coaching services, the cost to attend these luncheons is free).   

Want Personalized Coaching?

We are offering a variety of options for Social Media Coaching specific to your organization’s needs.  Depending on your goals, they range from “just get me started” to a “strategically optimized” social media plan tied to your business initiatives.

We are looking forward to learning and working with this great group of organizations!  February 18 is coming fast, so if you’re interested in filling one of our remaining spots on our Social Media Coaching network, please call or email our Social Media Consultant, Michelle Hillaert at:

574-235-8100 x327
mhillaert@pinnacleofindiana.com